It can heal spontaneously– As usually happens with the appropriate care

An oro-antral fistula forms– here the gum in your mouth and the lining of your nose cavity grow together to form a non-healing tunnel between the two. It requires further surgery to close.

The dentist may suspect a communication, or one may have been confirmed. Either way, the advice is similar- you should follow their instructions, which are aimed at preventing a rise in air pressure in the sinus. If this happens, for example sneezing or blowing your nose will force air down into the mouth, through the hole and it may worsen or prevent the communication from healing.

Reminder: Follow all extraction aftercare advice!

How to investigate?

Objective of the investigation

Methods

To demonstrate communication between antrum and mouth

Pass a probe or large gutta percha point through into antrum

Blow air into nose while pinching anterior nares closed and keep mouth open (may see air bubbles, hear hissing noise or air movement with wisp of cotton wool at socket opening, use dental mirror)

To detect retained root fragments or sequestra in socket or into antrum. To exclude the possibility of other lesions such as malignant neoplasms